Week 48/52 | Thankful

The theme for last week was Thankful.  I'm very thankful for my wonderful family -- and the fun that we're having celebrating the Christmas holiday this year!

Nikon D7000
Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.4G lens
f/4.0
ss 1/200
ISO 140
edited in LR3 and PSE8

Week 47/52 | Out and About

The theme two weeks ago was Out and About.  The day after Thanksgiving, we were out and about enjoying the local children's science museum.

Nikon D7000
Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 35mm f/1.8G lens
f/2.8
ss 1/160
ISO 1100
edited in LR3 and PSE8

Week 46/52 | Something Old + Something New

This week’s theme is Something Old + Something New. My dad on his old tractor, driving around his two grandsons -- my son Henry and my nephew Eli.

Nikon D7000
Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.4G lens
f/3.2
ss 1/200
ISO 800
edited in LR3 and PSE8

Week 45/52 | Hot + Cold

The theme for last week was Hot and Cold.  We had a photo session last weekend, and although it was hot outside we wore long sleeves and pretended like it was cold!

Nikon D7000
Nikon AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.8D lens
f/3.5
ss 1/160
ISO 640
edited in LR3 and PSE8

Week 44/52 | B+W

The theme three weeks ago was B+W.  A nighttime Memory game. . . .

Nikon D7000
Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 35mm f/1.8G lens
f/2.8
ss 1/200
ISO 4000
edited in LR3 and PSE8

Week 43/52 | Hometown

The theme a few weeks ago was Hometown.  The sign that has been at my grandparents' house for as long as I can remember.

Nikon D7000
Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.4G lens
f/1.4
ss 1/200
ISO 280
edited in LR3 and PSE8

Week 42/52 | Up Close and Personal

I’m five weeks behind on my P52 but am determined to catch up today!!

The theme one week last month was Up Close and Personal.  My big girls -- Piper and Rosemary -- taking care of each other.

Nikon D7000
Nikon AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.8D lens
f/3.5
ss 1/100 (not sure how I managed to let it get that slow!)
ISO 630
edited in LR3 and PSE8

Week 41/52 | Evoke Pumpkins

This week’s theme was “Evoke ______” – and we were to fill in the blank.  I tried to come up with something like “Evoke Nostalgia” or “Evoke Childhood Fall” or something else more serious, but “Evoke Pumpkins” just seems right to me!  We had a trip to the pumpkin patch, and the kids took their pumpkin-picking responsibilities very, very serious.  What a blast!

Nikon D7000
Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.4G lens
f/3.5
ss 1/250
ISO 100
edited in LR3 and PSE8

Week 40/52 | Lifestyle

This week’s theme was Lifestyle.  There's not much that's more exciting than trying out your brand new big girl bed for the first time!

Nikon D7000
Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.4G lens
f/2.8
ss 1/250
ISO 2000
edited in LR3 and PSE8

Week 39/52 | Wild Card

This week’s theme is Wild Card.  Yesterday my son, Henry, and I went on our local ClickinWalk.  We had a ball, and both took a lot of photos.  Here’s Henry, taking a break, and checking out all the photos he’s taken. . . .

Nikon D7000
Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.4G lens
f/2.8
ss 1/400
ISO 100
edited in LR3 and PSE8

Week 38/52 | Cozy

Last week’s theme was Cozy.  This is my view this past weekend from the seat I had at the most amazing pool ever.  It sure felt cozy to me.

Nikon D7000
Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.4G lens
f/5.6
ss 1/200
ISO 100
edited in LR3 and PSE8

Week 37/52 | Places and Spaces

Last week’s theme was Places and Spaces.  Sweet Penelope, walking ahead of everyone on the hiking trail. . . .

Nikon D7000
Nikon AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.8D lens
f/2.8
ss 1/250
ISO 200
edited in LR3 and PSE8

Week 36/52 | Favorite Things

Last week’s theme was Favorite Things.  Three girls in pretty dresses . . . one of my favorite things!

Nikon D7000
Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 35mm f/1.8G lens
f/2.8
ss 1/200
ISO 500
edited in LR3 and PSE8

Week 35/52 | Composed

Last week’s theme was Composed.  This is Penelope all ready for her first day of playschool.  She was calm, cool, and collected . . . and composed.  What a big girl!

Nikon D7000
Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 35mm f/1.8G lens
f/2.8
ss 1/200
ISO 1000
edited in LR3 and PSE8

Week 34/52 | The Five Senses

The theme for two weeks ago was The Five Senses.  Piper enjoying a cinnamon bun. . . .  That hits at least the two senses of touch and taste!

Nikon D7000
Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 35mm f/1.8G lens
f/2.8
ss 1/200
ISO 2000
edited in LR3 and PSE8

Week 33/52 | Funky

Last week’s these was Funky.  Rosemary is convinced that these leggings match that dress.  When I listen to her explain why, I almost believe it myself. . . .  Definitely funky!

Nikon D7000
Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.4G lens
f/2.8
ss 1/160
ISO 2000
edited in LR3 and PSE8

Week 32 Eye Candy!

Today, My Four Hens posted the Eye Candy for Week 32 in this blog post, and I’m excited to post that the photo of Penelope’s dirty shoes was one of the featured images for the week! 

Week 32/52 | Details

The these for this week’s project 52 photo is Details.  I had a few options of photos from today, but I really liked this one – from Penelope’s first hike where she was on her own feet instead of just riding in Gary’s backpack.  These are (or were) new shoes.  You should have seen the rest of her. . . .

Nikon D7000
Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.4G lens
f/2.8
ss 1/320
ISO 500
edited in LR3 and PSE8

Week 31/52 | Wild Card

This past week’s theme was Wild Card.  For my wild card this week, I decided to just pick my favorite photo of one of my kids from the weekend.  I love the look on Piper's face in this photo.

Nikon D7000
Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.4G lens
f/2.8
ss 1/500
ISO 320
edited in LR3 and PSE8

Week 30 Eye Candy

Today Sarah Cornish of My Four Hens published the winner and some “eye candy” for the Week 30 theme (Euphoria) via this blog post.  I’m very pleased to report that my photo of Henry was declared “eye candy”! 

Week 30/52 | Euphoria

This week’s theme is Euphoria.  I love this photo of Henry.  I think it fits the theme perfectly!

Nikon D7000
Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.4G lens
f/2.8
ss 1/250
ISO 250
edited in LR3 and PSE8

Week 29/52 | Me

This past week’s theme was Me.  This one was hard for me.  There were lots of things I thought about doing, but nothing really ended up being just right.  But, I took my kids with me to my hometown to visit my parents this weekend, and took this shot of what was my “backyard” growing up.  My backyard is quite different now.

Nikon D7000
Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.4G lens
f/8.0
ss 1/250
ISO 100
edited in LR3 and PSE8

Week 28/52 | Time

The theme two weeks ago was Time.  The swings at the kiddie carnival in my hometown used to be my favorite ride.  It doesn’t seem like enough time has passed so that my daughter can enjoy the same ride. 

Nikon D7000
Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.4G lens
f/6.3
ss 1/15
ISO 1600
edited in LR3 and PSE8

Clickin’ Moms Giveaway ~ Natural Light 101 Workshop

Clickin’ Moms is hosting a giveaway for its Natural Light 101 Workshop coming up in  a couple of weeks!  It looks like a great class!!  You should definitely consider entering the giveaway here!

Week 27/52 | Addicted

The week before last week’s theme was addicted.  I’ve given up a lot of things – and two of the biggest are cigarettes and nicotine.  But I can’t give up my {decaf} coffee.  And the best thing is to get a coffee for my husband and me, strap the kids into their carseats, and go for a long ride.  It’s so nice to spend a little time with my husband, and enjoy my remaining addiction. 

Nikon D7000
Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.4G lens
f/21.4
ss 1/200
ISO 100
edited in LR3 and PSE8

Week 26/52 | Friendship

I keep falling behind!!!  I hope I’ll be caught up by this weekend.  I seriously don’t understand how anyone does a Project 365.  I can barely keep up with a Project 52!

Anyway, the topic for week 26 was friendship.  Every single day, Piper and Rosemary (my identicals), get closer and closer.  In a way it scares me, but in a way I wish that I had an identical twin.  It’s an amazing bond.  They definitely show friendship in every way. 

Nikon D7000
Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.4G lens
f/2.8
ss 1/250
ISO 800
edited in LR3 and PSE8

Week 25/52 | Fatherhood

This week’s theme is Fatherhood.  This one was easy!  These four adorable kiddos made my husband a father. 

Nikon D7000
Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.4G lens
f/4.5
ss 1/200
ISO 1600
edited in LR3 and PSE8

Week 24/52 | Texture

The theme for the week before last was Texture.  I couldn’t decide what to use for this theme – but earlier today I was watching Rosemary (wearing her first set of french braids), and realized that I wanted to capture her hair just as it was – messy or not.

Nikon D7000
Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.4G lens
f/1.4
ss 1/200
ISO 250
edited in LR3 and PSE8

Week 23/52 | Seasons

This week’s theme was Seasons.  Sarah said that she had intended for the theme to be summer, but that some photographers participating in the Project 52 may not be in the summer season.  Anyway, being as we were at the beach last week, coming up with a photo that signifies “Summer” to me was easy!

Nikon D7000
Nikon AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.8D lens
f/4.0
ss 1/250
ISO 100
edited in LR3 and PSE8

Week 22/52 | Yellow

This week’s theme was Yellow.  I had no idea what to do with these theme, but during late Saturday afternoon, I saw the sun shining through my friend’s baby girl’s blonde curls, and just knew I had my shot.

Nikon D7000
Nikon AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.8D lens
f/2.8
ss 1/1000
ISO 100
edited in LR3 and PSE8

Week 21/52 | Dream

This week’s theme is Dream.  I've been wanting to take some sleeping photos of my kids for a while, and this theme gave me the push I needed to give it a shot.  I'm definitely going to have to start taking these on a more regular basis. 

Nikon D7000
Nikon AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.8D lens
f/1.8
ss 1/200
ISO 500
edited in LR3 and PSE8

Week 20/52 | Motherhood

The theme for this week is Motherhood.  This photo is of all my kids, hanging out at the creek after hiking and a picnic, with my baby girl looking like she's ready to be a big kid.

Nikon D7000
Nikon AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.8D lens
f/2.8
ss 1/320
ISO 100
edited in LR3 and PSE8

Week 19/52 | Weather

This week’s theme was Weather.  It was a dreary Mother's Day morning outside, but my kids' sweet present of posing for a photo (or ten or a hundred) really brightened things up!

Nikon D7000
Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 35mm f/1.8G lens
f/4.5
ss 1/160
ISO 3200
edited in LR3 and PSE8

Week 18/52 | Happy

I’m a little behind again, but hope to be caught up within a day or two!  Last week’s theme was Happy.  Swimming in an inflatable pool in the backyard and spinning in circles . . . pure happiness! I'm also really happy about Emma Wood's new Clickin Moms breakout session where I'm learning more about B&W visualization and conversions. Great information!!!

Nikon D7000
Nikon AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.8D lens
f/2.8
ss 1/320
ISO 100
edited in LR3 and PSE8

Week 17/52 | White

This week’s theme is White.  I had something entirely different planned for this week’s photo, but during our picnic lunch today I was sitting and looking at my baby girl’s new bob haircut and ruffled white shirt and decided that I had my shot right there!

Nikon D7000
Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D lens
f/2.8
ss 1/200
ISO 200
edited in LR3 and PSE8

Week 16 Favorite!!

The Project 52 that I’m participating in is run by Sarah Cornish of My Four Hens Photography.  Every week, she posts a new theme for us to use in taking our photos.  We take our photos using her theme, then add them to the Flickr group for the Project 52.  From those photos, Sarah chooses a winner and her favorites.  I’m so, so excited that this week Sarah named my Week 16 photo as one of her favorites of the week!!  You can read the blog post with the Week 16 winner and favorites here.  I’m thrilled!

Week 16/52 | Perspective

This week’s theme is Perspective.  Although I've struggled with every theme so far, as soon as I saw this theme I knew what my photo would be. . . .

My big kids (triplets) were born at 30 weeks. Although they were all small, Rosemary was by far the smallest at 1 pound 14 ounces. When she was 3 weeks old, we slid my husband's wedding band onto her wrist and took a few pictures, just to give some perspective as to how small she really was.

Rosemary is now almost 4. This past Tuesday morning I gave her a copy of the photo of her at 3 weeks old and my husband's wedding band, and took some photos of her. This has been such an unbelievably emotional process for me.  I was barely able to decide which photo to use, but in the end decided on this one.  If you want to see more, check out this post on my personal blog. 

Nikon D7000
Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 35mm f/1.8G lens
f/2.8
ss 1/160
ISO 1250
edited in LR3 and PSE8

Week 15/52 | Movement

This week’s theme is Movement.  I had some grand ideas of trying out panning for the first time this weekend, but when I saw Penelope pulling over a chair to try to catch a glimpse of her daddy outside mowing the yard, I knew I had my movement photo for the week.  These little feet may be sort of still right now, but they are almost always moving!!

Nikon D7000
Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 35mm f/1.8G lens
f/2.8
ss 1/160
ISO 1000
edited in LR3 and PSE8

Week 14/52 | Home

Last week’s theme was Home.  I took piano lessons for over 10 years when I was younger.  A few years ago, my mom and dad renovated their house and cleaned out a lot of things.  Part of that cleaning out involved moving my piano out of their house and down to my house.  It’s hard to describe it, but I remember sitting in my living room, looking at my piano, and feeling like my house was finally home once my piano was there.  To me, my piano represents home.

Nikon D7000
Nikon AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.8D lens
f/2.5
ss 1/200
ISO 1250
edited in LR3 and PSE8

Whew!  Now I’m finally caught up on the weeks I was behind on.  Now if I can only stay on track this week. . . .

Week 13/52 | Nature

I’m a little behind on my Project 52 photos, but I think I’ll be caught up by the end of this weekend!!  I hope. . . .

Anyway, the theme for the week before last was Nature.  To me, nothing says nature quite like a boy and his bug jar. . . .

Nikon D7000
Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D lens
f/2.8
ss 1/200
ISO 200
edited in LR3 and PSE8

Week 12/52 | Sparkle

This week’s theme was Sparkle.  I had so many great ideas for taking photos of sparkly things, but it just didn’t work out the way I had planned.  Regardless, I love this photo of my sweet Piper with a little tree sparkle. 

Week 11/52 | Blue

This week’s past week’s theme was Blue.  As soon as I saw that, I knew I had to take a photo of my son Henry and his eyes.  This morning at breakfast, the light was just right, so I grabbed my camera and started shooting.  He didn’t want much to do with the camera, until my husband started showing how to do the “Blue Steel” pose from Zoolander.  So, I’ve got double blue this week!  Blue eyes and Blue Steel.  I don’t know about you, but I think Henry nailed it. . . .

Nikon D7000
Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 35mm f/1.8G lens
f/2.8
ss 1/200
ISO 1250
edited in LR3 and PSE8

Week 10 | Personality

This week’s theme is Personality.  I feel like my kids ooze personality – in so many different ways.  I especially love my sweet Piper’s quirky personality.  She is so aware of everyone around her and how they react to her.  And she is always ready to entertain. . . .

Nikon D7000
Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 35mm f/1.8G lens
f/2.8
ss 1/200
ISO 500
edited in LR3 and PSE8

Week 9/52 | Color

This week’s theme was Color.  The funny thing about that is that I’ve been really into black & white photos lately. . . .  I decided to just take my usual photos throughout the week and use whatever had some color that jumped out at me.  Although this photo has plenty wrong with it (like the fact that you can only see the head of one of my four children huddled around my husband), I love how it shows how the grass is beginning to turn green, and showcases the great outdoor activity of blowing bubbles!

Nikon D7000
Nikon AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.8D lens
f/2.8
ss 1/1250
ISO 100
edited in LR3 and PSE8

Week 8/52 | Light

This week’s theme was Light.  I had a hard time shooting this week – it’s been really busy with everything (the BAMOM Twice as Nice consignment sale was this weekend and I had to get a new laptop set up, on top of normal, everyday life).  But I was able to shoot some earlier today.  My light shot for this week uses backlight.  Backlight . . . so much harder than it seems (for me, anyway).  I hope to become more comfortable with the shooting and editing of backlighting this year!

Nikon D7000
Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D lens
f/4.0
ss 1/250
ISO 100
edited in LR3 and PSE8

Week 7/52 | Wild Card

This week’s theme was a Wild Card.  I doubt this photo is technically correct at all.  It's not the "style" of photo I typically share with anyone.  And I think I probably got the sun rays, in part, from my dirty windows.  But, for whatever reason, I LOVE this photo of my baby girl.  This photo just seems like the perfect "wild card" for this week's theme. 

Week 6/52 | Emotion

This week’s theme for my Project 52 is Emotion.  It’s a cold weekend here, and we’ve been busy cleaning out closets and the attic because we’re selling a lot of things in the upcoming BAMOM Twice As Nice consignment sale, so hanging out inside and watching movies sounded like a good activity for this morning.  I realized that I had a chance to get my “emotion” photo done when I was choosing the movie.  Finding Nemo . . . it gets them every time.

Nikon D7000
Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 35mm f/1.8G lens
f/4.5
ss 1/250
ISO 4000
edited in LR3 and PSE8

I’ve been working on not shooting wide open, and so I forced myself to close down my aperture to try to got everyone in focus in the photo, even if I had to kick up my ISO a ton.  It’s not a perfect result, but it’s a step in the right direction and I’ll keep working on it. 

Week 5/52 | Simplicity

This week’s theme is Simplicity.  To me, simplicity would be photo with almost nothing in it but the subject, and that would need to be a simple subject.  I usually don't take photos of non-moving subjects.  My focus is typically just on photographing my kids.  For this week, I decided to photograph something that doesn't move, so I specially picked out this apple at the grocery store, knowing that I’d be photographing it.  It was way harder than I had thought to get the light, shadows, and focus to hit just right, and it wasn't easy to compose the shot so that the reflection didn't get overpowered.  Even though I like this photo, it wasn't quite what I envisioned.  This was a great exercise for me, and something I definitely want to keep working on. 

Nikon D7000
Nikon AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.8D lens
f/2.0
ss 1/125
ISO 3200
edited in LR3 and PSE8

Week 4/52 | Imperfection

This week’s word theme is Imperfection.  I love this week’s photo.  Their hair needs to be brushed.  I cut off several of Rosemary's fingers.  And, let's be honest, the kiss is a little awkward.  But, as their mama, this photo makes my heart sing. 

Nikon D7000
Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D lens
f/3.2
ss 1/200
ISO 320
edited in LR3 and PSE8

Week 3/52 | Inspiration

This week’s theme word is Inspiration.  This photo is an inspiration to me.  It inspires me to be outside enjoying nature with my kids as much as possible.  It inspires me to let them lead more, while I follow, just to see where they decide to go.  It inspires me to do whatever I can so that these kids maintain the bond and love they have for each other now.  And it inspires me to try to get my baby girl in the photo more -- I love having photos of these 3 together, but I love it even more when all 4 of my kids are in the same photo.

Nikon D7000
Nikon AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.8D lens
f/2.8
ss 1/800
ISO 100
edited in LR3 and PSE8

Week 2/52 | Life

This week our theme is Life.  I love seeing life through my kids' eyes -- and to them, almost nothing is as fun or exciting as a train ride at the zoo.

Nikon D7000
Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D lens
f/4.0
ss 1/200
ISO 1250
edited in LR3 and PSE8

Week 1/52 | Resolutions

Our Week 1 theme is Resolutions.  Honestly, I’m not a huge fan of New Year’s resolutions.  I feel like anyone should be able to make whatever life changes they want whenever in the year they wish to do so.  I feel like making New Year’s resolutions sometimes makes us put off changes that should be made now.  I try not to make New Year’s resolutions and instead to have different goals at whatever time is best to work on those goals.  I have several non-New Year’s resolutions that are on my list, and one of them is to take the 3+ years worth of photos that I've actually printed out and put them into these (and other) albums.  And I need to choose photos to print from the last 9 months and then put those into albums.  I've been putting this off for almost 2 years now. 

Nikon D7000
Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 35mm f/1.8G lens
f/1.8
ss 1/400
ISO 1000
(I should have taken my ISO and ss down.)
edited in LR3 and PSE8

This Blog

I have some friends who have done a 365 project, where they take a photo every day for a year.  That flat out takes dedication.  I remember when I made up my own 31 project on my personal family blog in March of 2011 and making a blog post daily for just a month almost killed me – and that didn’t include taking and editing a photo to post with it!  I know that I don’t have the time to do a 365 project.  I’d heard of people who did a project 52, meaning they take and edit a photo every week, but I was scared to commit to that, too.

Then I saw this blog post by Sarah Cornish of My Four Hens Photography (a/k/a {m4h}).  I thought that her concept of a Project 52 based on weekly themes sounded pretty cool, but I had already declared that I did not do such projects and I quickly forgot about it.  Then I read this blog post on Clickin Moms about how Amii Wroblewski was going to use a 52 project to really “push her photography to a new level creatively.”  That really interested me.  Before that blog post, I had thought the purpose of these “projects” were to capture daily/weekly life – which is a great goal, but I feel like I already do that to some extent on my personal family blog.  I had not thought of it before as a way to improve photography skills in some manner.  After I read that Clickin Moms blog post, I started seeing more and more comments by photographers about how much their photography improved after taking on a 365 or 52 project. 

I’m in a Facebook group with some classmates from a Shooting 201 class I took back in October.  Some of those women started talking about how they were going to do a 365 or 52 project and how great the {m4h} Project 52 looked. . . .  First, I told them that I didn’t do those sorts of projects.  Then I watched as the messages kept coming about so many of those women who were going to participate in the {m4h} Project 52 on Flickr.  Before I really knew what I was doing, I’d signed up for the group. 

I decided to start this blog just for the 2012 {m4h} Project 52 so that I can keep all of my Project 52 photos and thoughts and ideas in one place.  I’m really looking forward to this project and can’t wait to see what the year will bring!